CHAPTER 0002

CHAPTER 2

Stella

I don't know why my mother-in-law acts like I even have the power to control her son's movements. Scario comes and goes as he pleases.

I'm nobody in his eyes. Not even the promise he made me on the altar could make him feel a bit of guilt.

I'm only his wife when his body wants to ease itself. Every thrust comes with torture. The type I can't even believe is being inflicted on the right person.

How could I even scream that it was me that day if my own father threatened to disown me?

It's been years but I'm still paying for something I'm not supposed to. I knew he loved her. I also knew that he only kept me just so he could feel like it's her in his presence but I'm nothing like her.

I got up early and went to take a shower before going to make breakfast for Scario who had walked in. I didn't want to ask where he had been but the disrespect was just getting out of hand.

“I don't remember you sleeping out like that Scario. Where have you been?" I looked at him while he looked up meeting my gaze with a serious face.

“That's none of your business," he finally replied.

“I am your wife Scario. What—"

“Damnit!" he stood up, hitting the table with his fist, and everything on it began to vibrate.

“I…I—”

"Stella, you need to stop trying. I'm never going to look at you or have to answer to you for anything. Stay out of my business, and I'll probably pity you someday, OK?”

"No I'm tired of you and your—”

"One call, Stella, just one call, is what it'll take to put an end to this, OK. You're out here trying to grow wings, forgetting that I own you, huh? It's either I call your Dad or the hospital then—”

"Please don't, I'm sorry. I—I shouldn't have questioned you,” I apologized.

"Good Stella. I love seeing you in pain. I love knowing that you're paying for everything you've done for her. Every time I see you cry, I feel so nice, and the only reason I've not disfigured your face is that it's the only thing that keeps her alive in my head.”

Scario walked away after asking me not to be late for the office. I didn't have a car or enough money to get a cab. Sometimes I walk there and sometimes I'm given a ride by some of the employees.

I didn't know that doing well would turn my life into such a hell. I drank my coffee and was about to go get my files when my doorbell rang and I went to check who it was.

“Stella," my best friend, Audrey White, walked in with a box of chocolates in her hands. Not just any but my favorite.

"Hey there. I didn't think you'd make it,” I smiled.

"Anything for you. This place smells good, but it has so much darkness for you. How have you been?" She held my hand.

Questions like that just get me emotional, so I tried not to even cry, but deep down I was breaking into pieces I couldn't count.

“I'm OK just—"

“No, you're not, Stella. This world isn't for you, and the sacrifices you've been making are just a little too much, OK. I get that it's a life you're trying to save here but your life matters what if—"

“I'm getting late for the office. Would you mind dropping me off?" I cut her off.

“I'd be glad to do that," she answered and I rushed upstairs to get my stuff before we headed outside.

We got into the car and Audrey started driving while we kept talking about a lot of things before the car stopped at the company.

I thanked her for dropping me off before wishing her a great day at work. It was obvious things were going to be dramatic since I was a few minutes late.

I made my way to the Scario office but found that he had it locked.

“I'm sorry, ma'am, nobody is supposed to go in there," the secretary said while her colleagues looked at me with pity.

“I wonder what she wants from that man so badly."

“Women and their appetite for men with money."

“She's really done everything to end up with him.”

Everyone had something to say about how I ended up with Scario but nobody knew what transpired. They only knew about the headlines from the media.

I knew he would not even talk to me, so I made my way to the boardroom before the meeting with the executives began. All seats were occupied and Scario didn't even act bothered.

His friend stood up and gave me his seat while one of the employees went to get him another chair. The meeting began and everyone just started to air their views.

The meeting was about to come to an end when they asked if there was anyone with a different suggestion. I was at first hesitant but then finally stood up.

“Please sit down, you're not about to embarrass us," my mother-in-law whispered, but I ignored her.

I stood in front of the board and began to show the executives the points that were missed and the alternatives the company could use to fix some errors. The whole room stared at me in awe.

“I should say you were impressive, Mrs. Ford, that was very strategic. I love your skills," one of the executives complimented.

I could see my mother-in-law smiling on the sides, but I knew that wasn't genuine. She just wanted to brush off the shame.

For a brief second, I caught Scario staring at me differently. Not with hatred. Not with disgust either. Almost like he was trying to figure out who I really was for the first time.

But the moment our eyes met, his expression hardened again.

The executives chose to stick to my suggestion and the meeting was then over. Everyone was excited except Scario, me, and his mother.

“You really are trying your luck huh? I'm glad you didn't embarrass us, OK," my mother-in-law said before making her way out.

I slowly stood up and looked at Scario, who was on his phone, acting as if I was invisible.

“Would you like me to get you anything?" I asked.

“I've got someone specialized for that just to get out of my face," he looked up.

I nodded slightly and turned to leave but stopped when I noticed another figure standing near the glass doors.

Ryan Ford.

His sharp eyes remained fixed on me in a way that immediately made my stomach tighten.

“Interesting," he said slowly while adjusting his suit. “Very interesting.”

I lowered my gaze and quickly walked out of the boardroom feeling his eyes follow me the entire way.

Something about the way Ryan looked at me made my chest feel heavy.

Like he had just realized I was no longer as harmless as everyone thought.